StaffFranca Locatelli


Informations



E-mail
locatelli@ibba.cnr.it

Phone
+39 0223699678

Office
Milano

Research area
BIOTEC, QUALY


ORCID: 0000-0003-2537-7288
Scopus Author ID: 7202821583

Locatelli Franca

Researcher

Education

1990: Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Milan (110/110)

Professional experience

2008-Present: Permanent position as researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-CNR, Milan.

2001-2008: Researcher with a fixed-term contract at the Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-CNR, Milan.

1992-2000: Research activity with graduate fellowships at the Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology-CNR, Milan.

1990-1992: Research activity with graduate fellowship granted by the CREA, Istituto Sperimentale per la Cerealicoltura, Bergamo.

Research interests

  • In vitro plant cell culture systems as a tool for the analysis of plant gene expression, the obtainment of transgenic plants more tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses, and the increase of the production of secondary metabolites.
  • Regulation of plant gene expression under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. In particular, research activities focused on the role of two MYB transcription factors in plant stress tolerance through their overexpression in several species.
  • Myb transcription factors involved in the plant stress response.

Projects in progress

Projects completed

FilAgro – Innovative and sustainable strategies for the agri-food chain
Start date: 05/08/2013   End date: 31/10/2015

Regione Lombardia

Milano, Lodi
Diego Breviario

Project duration:
05/08/2013 - 31/10/2015
Financing body:
Regione Lombardia
Project research leader:
Diego Breviario
Headquarters:
Milano, Lodi

FilAgro – Innovative and sustainable strategies for the agri-food chain


The FILAGRO project aims to provide solutions to several issues that are emerging in the field of modern agriculture. They concern: production sustainability, biodiversity and environment preservation; improvement in food quality, safety and healthy and nutritional aspects; technology development in favor of industry; new knowledge dissemination. These issues are highlighted as of high importance in the EXPO 2015 and Horizon 2020 programs as well as in the 2013-2015 plan of the Agriculture Directorate of the Lombardy Region.

PARDOM - Parallel Domestications: the Phaseolus replicated experiment to understand genome evolution and adaptation
Start date: 29/04/2020   End date: 28/04/2023

MIUR

Milano, Roma
Francesca Sparvoli

Project duration:
29/04/2020 - 28/04/2023
Financing body:
MIUR
Project research leader:
Francesca Sparvoli
Headquarters:
Milano, Roma

PARDOM - Parallel Domestications: the Phaseolus replicated experiment to understand genome evolution and adaptation


As similar sets of traits evolved over a wide range of species during domestication (e.g. seed size) the study of wild and domestic forms is a key model to understand convergent phenotypic evolution. Phaseolus is a unique example of multiple parallel domestications in five closely related species. Of these, P. vulgaris (PV), and P. lunatus (PL), were each domesticated independently in Mesoamerica and the Andes, defining at least four independent domestication events. To understand the genomic architecture of domestication, we will set-up a ‘domestication experiment’ with full factorial design for three factors: species, areas and wild/ domestic status. Using cutting-edge population genomics approaches (including machine learning methods) we will compare PV and PL, using high-quality whole-genome sequencing, pan-genome assembly, RNA sequencing, metabolomics, and phenotyping. TILLING-by-sequencing and genome editing will be used for functional validation of candidate domestication genes. Overall, this Project has both fundamental and applied implications: it addresses relevant, but poorly answered, questions related to genomic changes during selection and adaptation, and it will provide crucial knowledge for development of improved crop varieties to meet societal challenges.
Duck-Tech - Development of an integrated and sustainable system to produce bio-product: recycling of wastewater from ofmsw anaerobic digestion
Start date: 02/05/2015   End date: 30/04/2018

Fondazione Cariplo

Milano, Lodi   Website

Bianca Castiglioni

Project duration:
02/05/2015 - 30/04/2018
Financing body:
Fondazione Cariplo
Project research leader:
Bianca Castiglioni
Headquarters:
Milano, Lodi
Project website:
Website

Duck-Tech - Development of an integrated and sustainable system to produce bio-product: recycling of wastewater from ofmsw anaerobic digestion


The purpose of the project is to develop an integrated biological system to purify wastewater originated by anaerobic digestion of OFSMW, based on duckweed ability to tolerate high nitrogen and phosphorous concentration.

The project is proposing to develop a sustainable and completely natural system capable of achieving two objectives at the same time:

– a biological wastewater treatment;

– the transformation of some pollutants in raw materials (starch and fatty acids) that can be used in food and biochemical industries , replacing products obtained from agriculture or hydrocarbons.

In addition we would like to make a contribution to the understanding of microbiome degrading in the rhizosphere of aquatic plants used in the system, highlighting its effects on urban organic waste purification and more broadly on microbial water safety.

BOBCAt - Biotechnologies for sustainable production of bio-based commodities and specialty products in a cardoon-based biorefinery
Start date: 15/04/2019   End date: 14/04/2021

Fondazione Cariplo

Milano
Francesca Sparvoli

Project duration:
15/04/2019 - 14/04/2021
Financing body:
Fondazione Cariplo
Project research leader:
Francesca Sparvoli
Headquarters:
Milano

BOBCAt - Biotechnologies for sustainable production of bio-based commodities and specialty products in a cardoon-based biorefinery


Aim of the project is the optimization of the use of industrial by-products and wastewaters as growth substrates for plant cell cultures and the optimization of their growth in economically and environmentally sustainable conditions to substantiate the possibility to build a cardoon-based cell biofactory in line with the principles of Circular Economy. Biotechnological approaches, through the RNAi strategy and/or the emerging technique of “genome editing”, on seed/leaf derived calli will be directed to increase monounsaturated fatty acids, while modifying lignin composition for accumulation of different phenolic acids as well as higher digestibility and availability of the cellulose fraction to enzymatic degradation. Furthermore, economic and environmental analysis of the production model of cardoon cells will be performed.

VELICA - From ancient material crops and products for the future
Start date: 01/01/2011   End date: 31/12/2013

Regione Lombardia

Milano
Incoronata Galasso

Project duration:
01/01/2011 - 31/12/2013
Financing body:
Regione Lombardia
Project research leader:
Incoronata Galasso
Headquarters:
Milano

VELICA - From ancient material crops and products for the future


The project aims to study the possible re-introduction of traditional crops on the Lombardia territory such as hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), making their cultivation profitable again through the use of all the bioproducts obtainable from the various parts of the plant, eg: oil extracted from seeds, fiber, proteins, metabolites. In addition, the project also plans to enhance all the residues of the various transformations of hemp and flax, creating a range of bioproducts of considerable interests.

InFlaMe - Improvement of secondary metabolites production for human health by flax cell in vitro technology
Start date: 01/09/2017   End date: 30/06/2021

Fondazione Cariplo

Milano   Website

Monica Mattana

Project duration:
01/09/2017 - 30/06/2021
Financing body:
Fondazione Cariplo
Project research leader:
Monica Mattana
Headquarters:
Milano
Project website:
Website

InFlaMe - Improvement of secondary metabolites production for human health by flax cell in vitro technology


The aim of the InFlaMe project is to optimize the production of secondary metabolites of pharmacological/nutraceutical interest, the lignans which are produced at low concentration by flax plants as defense compounds against herbivores and microrganisms. To this purpose a biotechnological approach will be used starting from the production of different plant tissue cultures obtained from several diverse flax species. The obtained cultures will be induced to an increased production of lignans through the use of specific elicitors and through metabolic engineering.

In the long term this technology will provide a large scale production of high added value compounds currently limited by the low potential of producer species.

 

MITICAL - Improvement of the cultivation and production of industrial hemp in Lombardy through innovative cultivation techniques
Start date: 01/07/2020   End date: 30/12/2023

Regione Lombardia

Milano, Lodi, Roma
Monica Mattana

Project duration:
01/07/2020 - 30/12/2023
Financing body:
Regione Lombardia
Project research leader:
Monica Mattana
Headquarters:
Milano, Lodi, Roma

MITICAL - Improvement of the cultivation and production of industrial hemp in Lombardy through innovative cultivation techniques


The MITICAL project aims to deepen knowlege on industrial hemp culture, focusing on the final use of two main products: seeds and flowers. The project will be based on the following activities:

  • analysis of 4 hemp varieties, two monoecius and two dioecious, cultivated in two different pedoclimaticzones in Lombardy region,
  • evaluation of the agronomic performances after different growing condition: control, biostimulant treatment, elicitor treatment,
  • seeds:evaluation of nutritional quality by measuring protein and oil content, fatty acid profile and antinutritional compound content,
  • flowers: evaluation of secondary metabolites content (CBD, THC,) and other polyphenols,
  • study of transcriptome: correlation analysis between gene expression and phenotype/metabolite, identification of allelic polymorphism (SNP) and coexpression network,
  • metagenomic analysis of soil: characterization of fungi, bacteria, metazoa, before and after hemp cultivation.

The project will be hold with the collaboration of agrofarms belonging to the two lombard agriculture districts and the results obtained on seeds will be viable for feed and food industries whereas those on flowers for pharma and cosmetic sector.

RICE CONNECTIONS - Connecting biologies on rice disease resistance, drought tolerance and flowering time
Start date: 01/07/2012   End date: 30/06/2016

Fondazione Cariplo

Milano
Annamaria Genga

Project duration:
01/07/2012 - 30/06/2016
Financing body:
Fondazione Cariplo
Project research leader:
Annamaria Genga
Headquarters:
Milano

RICE CONNECTIONS - Connecting biologies on rice disease resistance, drought tolerance and flowering time


The overall objective of the “Rice connections” project is to better elucidate the connections between disease resistance, drought tolerance and flowering time and to study how does a first biological stimulus impact on a second subsequent biological stimulus.

The relationships between the three targeted biological pathways are explored using different approaches: agronomy, genetics, genomics, cell biology and yeast-two-hybrid technique.

The project will involve:

– phenotyping for disease resistance, drought tolerance and flowering time of several rice lines, including transgenic lines for some key genes

– identifying regulation nodes, i.e. genes which expression is synergistically regulated by two biological pathways, through gene expression studies (RNA-Seq analysis and qRT-PCR)

– establishing connection nodes between the targeted biological pathways, as identified by yeast-two-hybrid approach

The main output of the project will be the identification of connection hubs between the targeted biological pathways, which will represent the next generation of genes to be studied and used in future breeding programs.

RISINNOVA - Integrated genetic and genomic approaches for new Italian rice breeding strategies
Start date: 01/03/2011   End date: 30/10/2014

AGER

Milano
Annamaria Genga

Project duration:
01/03/2011 - 30/10/2014
Financing body:
AGER
Project research leader:
Annamaria Genga
Headquarters:
Milano

RISINNOVA - Integrated genetic and genomic approaches for new Italian rice breeding strategies


The overall objective of the “RISINNOVA” project is to provide the Italian rice industry with genetic and genomic tools for the development of more competitive rice varieties, suitable for both domestic and international markets.

The project is structured in five research Workpackages (WP):

WP1. Genetic and genomic approaches to improve protection against the main rice diseases

WP2. Genetic and genomics strategies for protection of rice from major abiotic stresses (water

shortage, salt stress, thermal stress)

WP3. Genetic and functional diversity of rice-associated microbial communities

WP4. Genomic analysis systems applied to biodiversity

WP5. Dissemination, training and technology transfer

In the framework of WP2, the IBBA activity aims to identify genes that may represent important players in the tolerant response to osmotic stress. This is achieved through: i) the physiological evaluation of several japonica cultivars for their response to osmotic stress ii) the selection of two cultivars with a contrasting phenotype (sensitive vs tolerant) iii) an RNA-Seq analysis of the transcriptomic changes occurring in leaves and roots of these two cultivars in response to osmotic stress.

sPATIALS3 - Improvement of agrifood productions and innovative technologies for a safer and more secure and sustainable nutrition
Start date: 01/02/2020   End date: 31/10/2022

Regione Lombardia

Milano, Lodi   Website

Francesca Sparvoli

Project duration:
01/02/2020 - 31/10/2022
Financing body:
Regione Lombardia
Project research leader:
Francesca Sparvoli
Headquarters:
Milano, Lodi
Project website:
Website

sPATIALS3 - Improvement of agrifood productions and innovative technologies for a safer and more secure and sustainable nutrition


sPATIALS3 is a technological and research hub involving 12 CNR Institutes belonging to 4 different Departments and 4 companies. Main objectives will be: obtainment of innovative food products improved for their nutritional and functional properties; provision and implementation of precision technologies to guarantee products quality, safety and traceability; development of innovative and eco-sustainable smart– and active-packaging to minimize and reuse wastes, where possible, and to increase food preservability; provision to consumers and producers of tools for results exploitation.

BIO-BELIEF BIO-BELIEF: BIOfortification of common Bean to promote heaLthy dIEt and Food security in a context of climatic variation
Start date: 01/06/2021   End date: 31/05/2024

ERA-NET FOSC/MiPAAF

Milano   Website

Eleonora Cominelli

Project duration:
01/06/2021 - 31/05/2024
Financing body:
ERA-NET FOSC/MiPAAF
Project research leader:
Eleonora Cominelli
Headquarters:
Milano
Project website:
Website

BIO-BELIEF BIO-BELIEF: BIOfortification of common Bean to promote heaLthy dIEt and Food security in a context of climatic variation


Common bean is a staple food in many regions in the world. Bean seeds are a major source of dietary fibers, essential amino acid-rich proteins, some vitamins and often display a high content in essential minerals (Fe, Zn, Ca). However, these minerals are scarcely bioavailable, mainly due to the presence of phytic acid. Besides, about 60% of common beans produced worldwide are grown in regions subjected to water stress. The BIO-BELIEF project (ERA-NET FOSC call) aims to select new biofortified and drought resilient bean lines, in order to promote a healthy diet in a general frame of food security. The biofortification traits (incresed seed Fe and decreased phytic acid concentration) will be introgressed in the drought resilient genetic backgrounds. The innovative technology of genome editing will be applied to explore candidate genes involved in drought resilience. The biofortified lines will be exploited by preparing bean-based recipes. The BIO-BELIEF project involves: CNR-IBBA, CREA-GB and the Blumen Group company, Italy; Aix-Marseille University, France; CIAT, Kenya; University of Pretoria, South Africa; EMBRAPA, Brazil.

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